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Resolution on Religious Pluralism in Israel

WHEREAS the Megillat ha-Atzmaut of Israel declares that the State of Israel will guarantee freedom of religion to all of its citizens; and

WHEREAS Jewish history has shown that the Jewish religion and the Jewish people are strengthened by a pluralistic outlook, whereby Jews embrace the spirit of the dictum that differing opinions are the "words of the living God" (TB Eruvin 13b); and

WHEREAS such religious freedom and religious pluralism will strengthen the Jewish identity of Israel's citizens of the State itself.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Rabbinical Assembly call upon the Knesset of the State of Israel to correct existing legislation, and to enact new legislation, so that the State, which is the state of all Jews, will:

Grant religious freedom to Jews and equal rights and recognition to all religious streams within Judaism; and

End the monopoly of the Chief Rabbinate and grant civil authority to Masorti rabbis to perform marriages.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Rabbinical Assembly call upon the government of Israel to eliminate the artificial division between conversions performed in Israel and elsewhere and to grant civil recognition, registration and all attendant rights to all those converted by the batei din (religious courts) of the Rabbinical Assembly.